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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Once my contractions were consistently 5 minutes apart for more than an hour and were increasingly painful.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My first birth was the typical hospital birth with an epidural, so I think one of the most challenging aspects this time around was know that there was a magical needle that could take away this extreme pain in seconds. But there is no greater empowering feeling than looking back and knowing that I did it completely natural! The other big challenge is just waiting for labor to run its coarse. Just desperately waiting to be dilated to that magic number 10!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I took a hypno-birthing class, and although I didn't experience the "painless" labor some of the moms claimed to have, it did help me relax tremendously and cope with the contractions so much better than I did the first time! With my first I was a panicked wreck in writhing pain at just 3 centimeters dilation. This time around I was able to remain calm and relaxed nearly the whole time and didn't feel the extreme intensity until I was 7 centimeters dilated.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The beauty of what your body is capable of. Just the fact that I really made it through naturally was a lovely surprise. It's so empowering!
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If you are set on going natural I would highly recommend birthing at a birthing center rather than a hospital. When you are in the intensity of labor it is so hard to deny the appeal to take away the pain. The temptation to get an epidural is so luring at a hospital and easy to give in to, where as at a birthing center you don't have the option so the temptation amiably there. There is also so much support for natural means at a birthing center and the midwives I had were so incredible supportive and helpful.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The hypno-birthing meditation CD worked the best at keeping me relaxed and easing the pain of my contractions. Keeping my mind focused on relaxing all the different parts of my body at all times was so helpful. Also sitting upright in a rocking chair eased my pain tremendously. I tried many different positions and oddly enough just sitting in the chair able to rock and keep my mind calm was the best position.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was laying propped up in the bed. My intention was to deliver in the birthing tub, but I did not feel comfortable there when the time came so we moved to the bed to check my dilation and it was time to push.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Every single ache, pain and concern disappears and you are instantly in a dreamlike state. It truly is the most beautiful feeling to be rewarded with such a precious gift... I literally felt like I was floating on clouds ❤️
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
If you are set on going natural I would highly recommend birthing at a birthing center rather than a hospital. When you are in the intensity of labor it is so hard to deny the appeal to take away the pain. The temptation to get an epidural is so luring at a hospital and easy to give in to, where as at a birthing center you don't have the option so the temptation amiably there. There is also so much support for natural means at a birthing center and the midwives I had were so incredible supportive and helpful.
